APPLICATIONS OF VETIVER IN WESTERN AFRICA: How does it apply to the Gulf States? KUWAIT FOUNDATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCES Kuwait City, March 7, 2006 Dr. Criss Juliard
Region under consideration
Three aspects of vetiver in the region Local (Africa) variety: V. nigritana Introduction of V. zizanioides Dissemination: approach and Best Practices
1. Local (Africa) variety: V. nigritana Found in wetlands and wadis Multiple uses/multiple names purify drinking water medicinal properties land demarcation considered to have spiritual/mystical properties Cattle will feed on its leaves handicraft Not known for soil erosion
Found in wetlands and wadis
Used in drinking water and for medicinal purposes
Roots in drinking water - Disinfects - good taste - nice odor - eliminates pathogens
Planted as markers to demarcate land boundaries Helps reduce land disputes since it is difficult to uproot; referred to as Jema plant in Mali
In intensive agriculture; demarcates small plots
Its leaves are eaten by cattle (as a last resort)
Near Timbuktu (Mali)
Leaves mixed in adobe construction blocs to reduce cracking
In spite of different uses, there has been little research on V. nigritana: its medicinal qualities its water purification capabilities its nutritional value as animal feed performance in soil erosion/soil regeneration. Why?
Soil erosion field trials initially show weakness of V.nigritana After 8 months, a V. nigritana hedge trapped 12 cm of sand, yet no sign of adaptive root growth 12 cm
It seems that V. nigritana does not have ability to grow roots on its leaf stem This in comparison to V. Zizanioides, which grows new roots on its leaf stem when it traps eroded soil
Present status of V. nigritana: Roots collected in the wild; over harvested Dug, dried and sold mostly to purify drinking water and for medicinal purposes Very little effort to multiply or propagate Plant s survival is threatened in the region
2. Introduction of V. zizanioides The big picture: Last 30 years, Africa region undergoing major changes: Intense pressure on land Drought Deforestation
These changes have led to: Loss of arable land Reduced agricultural productivity Constraints to development and low food security
Enter World Bank and National Science Foundation, and The Vetiver Network 1990 s: Studies on V. zizanioides uses and performance Conclusion: In tropical and arid zones, V. zizanioides hedges could solve loss of arable land and improve soil moisture retention, lead to better food security Past 7 years, impressive new applications and uses of vetiver beyond its soil erosion properties
Root Comparison V.zizanioides & V. nigritana
In Western Africa, a landmark research conducted in Nigeria* V. zizanioides planted in hedges: Trapped 98% of soil Reduced run-off 130% Crop yield increased Set the stage for expanded application of Vetiver in the region *Babalola, O. 1999, University of Ibadan
Since 2000 New interest in research and application of the Vetiver System Particularly countries bordering Sahara desert; Senegal, Mali and Burkina Faso; Attempts made to establish national vetiver dissemination programs Senegal, first country
3. DISSEMINATION: approach and best practices 3.1. Approach: Use business sector in collaboration with public institutions and research centers Establish demonstration sites/installations Promote sustainable quantities of plant material private nurseries Localize the Information about Vetiver Put in place a broad communication strategy
DISSEMINATION (CON T) 3. 2. Best Practices Create diversified core group; hold regular meetings Involve big-picture and detail people; people who are busy! Use a LEAD organization; independent, access to resources, credible, results oriented. Organize information days and events Develop Action Plan Identify private businesses that can use vetiver, invest in it and use as demonstration sites Create information networks and partnerships among key people and organizations
Applying the dissemination approach
Demonstration site in Senegal: Initial private contract was with a cement factory for a mine access road Note drainage culvert Weak spots
Same site after rains
Same road, same static construction but protected with V. zizanioides
Events and communications: Demonstrate vetiver plant Tiller planted in a 1 _ meter box (sand soil and manure) Leaves used for thatched kiosk in a hotel Plants in nursery bags Planted by the meter
In agriculture, wind and pest protection
Cultivate food crops in sand by the sea (30 meters from water line)
Demonstration site (Mali): New Irrigation canal and access road to sugar plantation
Initial single hedge planting (May)
Same canal and access road (August 2004)
Demonstration/testing vetiver at municipal water treatment plant (Dakar, Senegal) Raw waste water water for garden plots
Disinfection and survival of vetiver when remain submerged in waste water
Cleaning polluted water site, vetiver raft (Senegal)
Community wastewater overflows into squares of Vetiver (Senegal) Wastewater
Retaining steep slope under dry conditions (Dakar, Senegal)
Erosion Niger River (Mali). Tree roots are unable to protect the soil
Same river bank protected with vetiver
Stabilization along coast Cap Skirring (Senegal) Photo: Ndongo Fall DIEYE
Senegal beachfront protected and unprotected lands
Small well in desert by the coast (brackish water) protected by vetiver
Coastal sand erosion and wind protection
Phosphate mine 6 km conveyer belt protection (Senegal) Photo: Ibrahima Diaw
Provide quantities of plant material: small farm level multiplication (Burkina Faso)
Localize information, and reach communities
Events: Vetiver Day at the community level
SUMMARY Dissemination is a key factor in promoting Vetiver System A traditional use/knowledge of the plant is not necessary Need a plan, an independent locomotive and include a broad spectrum of partners particularly businesses Must be flexible, adaptive, innovative
Does Vetiver exist and grow in the Gulf?
Vetiver and Paulownia trees in Dubai Vetiver worked, but it was too hot for the Paulownia
Choukrane